There really is only one way to describe the Tony Award-winning noise-theater group, “Blast!”

“We’re more like a marching band on crack,” says Sanford Jones, tuba player and assistant conductor.

At first thought, the one-word musical theater performance-art groups, such as “Blast!” and “Stomp,” may be lumped together.

“Blast!” performance supervisor and conductor Wesley Bullock says he enjoys “Stomp,” but the two shows are quite different.

“Unlike ‘Blast!,’ ‘Stomp’ is an intimate theater group of eight people. It’s very street and has an urban feel,” he says.

“It’s a discovery of rhythm as separate characters.”

Jones says the two concepts aren’t similar. He compares his production to the Irish step show “Riverdance.”

“We owe a lot to ‘Riverdance,'” Jones says.

“Blast!” is based on the colors of the spectrum. Brass instruments and various drums try to capture the feelings and moods associated with the different hues, Jones says.

This theme ties the music to different feelings, he says.

“Because of the different energies, it can be like an emotional rollercoaster,” he says.

“Blast!” is not only an emotionally charged performance, but also physically challenging for the cast.

Jones is a five-year veteran of the show, and says “Blast!” can be extremely demanding on its performers.

“We ooze off the stage; it’s very high-energy,” Jones says. “It can be loud, but there are different energies and lots of connections.”

Although the performance is intense, Jones says he is able get a short break from the action when he switches from tuba to drums during the spiritual part of the performance.

“It’s a big ensemble; I get a little relief and some peace,” Jones says. “It lets me let loose a little.”

He says the spiritual is his favorite piece right now, but it changes a lot because of the variety. He says there are many genres are in the show, including classical, jazz and techno.

Because of the diversity, he says it was difficult to pick a permanent favorite.

Jones, who is taking time out from getting his graduate degree from the University of Arizona, says the entire cast is composed of college-age performers, who are either just starting out or have taken time out of their education to be involved with the show. He says the age similarity makes the performance a lot of fun because of the chemistry they share.

“The cast is multi-talented, and we really enjoy performing with each other,” Jones says.

Jones says the crowd’s emotional connection to the show is one of the key aspects that makes “Blast!” so appealing.

“The audience reaction really guides the show,” he says.

Bullock says he hopes audiences will walk away from the performance feeling emotionally uplifted in addition to being entertained.

“You’re gonna get chills,” he says.

“It’s a two-hour emotional journey. You’ll be lifted up with it, placed down at the end and be better for it.”